subject: Strategies The Pros Use To Win Texas Holdem [print this page] Playing Texas Holdem poker online or at the tables without first thoroughly understanding the rules and terminology is a bit like trying to run before you can walk. As any seasoned player will tell you, you have to learn the basics before you can really start winning. Why? Because knowing how to apply the rules can help you to make smart choices. In this article, we'll share some tips that will help you sharpen your Holdem game play.
It's natural to want to hit the tables, but you need to rein in your enthusiasm until you get a handle on the Texas Holdem rules. This is definitely not a "learn as you go" kind of game. The first thing that you need to do is learn the rules and the language of the game. No one is going to want to sit around and wait while you figure out what to do!
If you are playing Texas Holdem online, then print out the rules and a list of the shorthand to keep beside your computer. This will help you in a pinch. Another hard rule is to know when to quit. It's as easy to have a bad night as it is to have a good night. If you find yourself repeatedly thinking, "One more hand, just one more hand!", then it's probably time to call it a night. Anything fun can be addictive, so set a strict limit on how much money you are willing to lose.
Practicing the fine - and fun - art of bluffing can help you win big at the tables. As the pros will tell you, having a great poker face is a big asset. Bluffing can help you when you suspect that an opponent has a better hand than you do. If you can "trick" or "bluff" them into thinking that you hold the better hand, thus getting them to fold, then you can rake in the pot. Yet timing is everything.
If you bluff too much or raise out of position, then your opponents will catch on to your Texas Holdem strategy. Also, don't cross your fingers and let it all hang out on a pure bluff. This Hail Mary move is never a good idea because an ace high rarely wins. You're better off with a semi-bluff when you have a late position or you are only facing one opponent. Also, never bluff when a player has so much money in the pot that your raise or bet will not be enough to force him to fold.
One the other hand, getting caught trying to pull a fast one can work in your favor. A seasoned player will quickly figure out if you only raise when you have a good hand. This works against you because they will fold without putting their money on the table for you to rake in. Putting doubt into the minds of your opponents will force them into making tough decisions during big pots, and continually making your opponents make decisions is a strong strategy.
Getting paid off with your big hands is what poker is all about, so if you find that everyone always folds when you bet big with a good hand, then try advertising your bluffs every once in awhile. Your body language speaks volumes, so use it to your advantage. Lean back, look relaxed, and let a little smile come to your face. Your opponents will never know what has hit them.
Texas Holdem stops being fun the moment you start taking the game too seriously. Wounded egos are easier to repair than financial ruin, so know when to quit. Never bet more than you are willing to lose and be vigilant about limiting the time you spend playing the game. Gambling can be an addiction as serious as drugs or alcohol, so don't take the fun out of playing cards by going overboard. Like they say; everything in moderation.
by: Michael McMahon
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